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From presidents Carter, George H.W. Bush, Clinton, and George W. Bush.

Early Career of James Buchanan

November 30, 1849

Source: The Library of Congress

Before becoming President in 1857, James Buchanan was a successful lawyer in Pennsylvania. He then served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the U.S. Senate. He also worked in various presidential administrations: as envoy to Russia for President Andrew Jackson, as secretary of state for President James Polk, and as minister to England for President Franklin Pierce.